More than 73 kilograms of illegal drugs hidden in items including children's toys and nappies have been seized and 22 people arrested during a week-long operation targeting Australia's mail system.

The joint operation between the federal police and Australian Customs and Border Protection Service has led to the seizure of 145 parcels nationwide since Monday, police said.

Drugs were found in children's soft toys, nappies and books, among other items, Mr Zuccato told reporters in Sydney today.

"I think what this demonstrates across the board is just how insidious organised crime is and the callousness of these individuals who would choose to hide narcotics in kids' toys and possibly put kids at risk," Mr Zuccato said.

A total of 22 men have been arrested in Australia.

They include 10 in NSW aged between 20 and 46, 10 in Victoria aged 20 to 36, and four men in Queensland aged between 22 and 35.

The federal police worked with international authorities to dismantle a drug mailing operation in Peru and Colombia.

Other items seized included firearms, fake driver's licences and passports, counterfeit DVDs and CDs, and $152,000 in cash.

"This is about demonstrating to those people who want to bring narcotics into our country, whether it's in envelopes, whether it's in packages, containers, strapped to people's bodies or inside them, we are on the job and we are waiting for them," Mr Zuccato said.